Edge of disaster

Why do some people carry knives?

Often those who carry weapons say they do so because of the
threat of violence. They feel safer carrying a weapon and knives
are accessible and easily concealed. Young people can also carry
knives to be part of a macho culture.

During the past six months, State Parliament security officers
have confiscated 30 knives. The weapons, including large hunting
knives, flick knives and other blades, were taken from visiting
schoolchildren.

The fear is that if young people carry knives - even if they
have no intention of using them - when affected by stress or
alcohol they may behave with little awareness of the damage they
may inflict.

Has there been an increase in knife-related crimes?

In March this year there were several serious knife-related
offences in Victoria, including five fatal stabbings. At the time,
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said the attacks
represented a "statistical blip" and were not indicative of a
growing trend.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, knives were
the most common weapon used in murders and attempted murders in
Australia in 2005.

Knives were used in 30 per cent of recorded murders, the highest
proportion since 2001 (29 per cent). The use of firearms for this
offence continued to decline in the same period, from 16 per cent
in 2001 to 10 per cent in 2005.

Knives were used more than firearms in robberies, comprising 19
per cent of all robberies. This was slightly higher than the
proportion in 2004 (18 per cent), but lower than that recorded in
2001 (23 per cent).

Statistically knife-related crime is relatively stable but
critics say official numbers do not fully reveal the prevalence of
knives on the streets or in our schools.

Former assistant police commissioner Bob Falconer says anecdotal
evidence suggests a larger, more complex knife culture outside
official statistics and that an increasing number of schoolchildren
are carrying weapons for protection.

Does more need to be done?

On July 16, Open Family youth worker Les Twentyman, with
community, business and police support, conducted a knife buy-back
at Sunshine and Footscray train stations. "Exchange Your Knife,
Change Your Life" swapped more than 50 knives for showbags
containing basketball, football and movie tickets. Mr Twentyman
says there needs to be a clear message that knives are undesirable,
illegal and unacceptable to carry, if there is to be any change in
the attitude and behaviour of young people.

State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu says a Liberal government
would change privacy laws to give teachers the right to search
students' lockers and bags for weapons and he would support metal
detectors in schools on a case-by-case basis.

Some would like to see greater control over the sale of knives
or tougher legislation in an attempt to tackle the problem, but
critics say that it is almost impossible to prevent access to
knives.

Others advocate awareness campaigns to educate people about the
risks of carrying knives. They say knives are a worrying factor in
youth crime and we need to address why young people feel the need
to carry knives and help them to understand that any knife is a
dangerous weapon.

Britain recently responded to fears of a growing knife culture
by holding a knife amnesty. More than a quarter of homicides in
Britain during 2004-05 used sharp weapons. The five-week amnesty
collected more than 90,000 weapons.

Recent headlines

"A city on the knife edge", The Sunday Age, July 23

"Taking a stab at knife culture", The Herald Sun, July
20

"Alarm at Spring Street knife haul", The Sunday Age,
June 1

What The Age says

"It is unlikely tougher legislation will bring about a reduction
in knife crimes, for as Judge Walsh suggested, knife culture is
born out of macho culture. Dr Julian Bondy, a criminal justice
expert at RMIT University, has pointed out that more men are
carrying knives for protection because they feel vulnerable and
insecure. This is the foul reality. In such an environment it is
imperative that the State Government lead a public awareness
campaign on the dangers of carrying knives. There needs to be
broader education in schools and sporting and cultural
organisations. If knife culture, and not inadequate legislation, is
the problem, then better education is the answer."
- EDITORIAL OPINION, The Age, March 7

What people say

"The safety of the students and teachers has to take priority
over the privacy or the rights of an individual who might be
carrying a knife. Part of the problem is that they are just so
prolific in schools that nothing is followed up."
- Opposition education spokesman MARTIN DIXON, The Sunday
Age, July 23

"I challenge police and education leaders to conduct research
that includes focus groups from people on the streets and in the
schools. If their staff report what they are telling Les Twentyman
and me, then they will know there are too many knives out there.
Admitting there is a problem is the first step."
- BOB FALCONER, The Herald Sun, July 20

"There is something profoundly wrong in our society when many
young people think it is acceptable to carry knives."
- LES TWENTYMAN, theage.com.au July 12

"This guy came out of nowhere and stabbed him with this massive
knife. He was inches away from dying, inches away from being
paralysed. He had stabbed him right at the top of the back, just
missed his spine.

You grow up thinking you can walk around anywhere, but nowadays
there's so many people carrying, you just never know when one day
you might come across someone. So you just feel that you have to
carry to protect yourself."
- Unnamed 18-year-old who began carrying a knife after one of his
friends was stabbed. The Age, March 11

Your view

Are knives an increasing part of everyday culture for young
people? What can be done to discourage students from carrying
knives? Submit your view by 10am Thursday.

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Previous issue: Middle East conflict

Israel's reaction is not only legitimate, but it is a must - it
is an obligated response. Israel, just like any other country in
the world has the right to defend itself when attacked. Try
picturing Australia being attacked by missiles daily. Wouldn't you
want your country to defend themselves?
- CHALEE, year 12, Beth Rivkah Ladies College

I believe that Israel has overreacted to the activities of
Hezbollah. The attacks were aimed at cutting Lebanon off from the
world, but instead has created chaos and an attack on the wrong
targets. The victims are the Lebanese people. Israel and Lebanon
should work together to disarm Hezbollah.
- JADE, year 12, John Paul College

When one country's military power is enormous compared to that
of the country they are fighting it becomes nothing more than
bullying. Israel's attacks on Lebanon have resulted in many deaths
and injuries. These attacks, aimed at the Hezbollah, have not
reached their target but have in fact reached the innocent
civilians of Lebanon.
- LISA, year 9, Sale College

The uniqueness of Israel's army is the values by which it stands
in regard to human life. It strives to protect not only its
inhabitants but also the innocent civilians of Lebanon. What other
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area?
- BRACHA and AVITAL, year 10, Beth Rivkah Ladies College

How can any act of war be considered disproportionate? Israel's
military actions came about to protect its citizens and defend its
right to exist. Why were these Palestinian rocket attacks never
called disproportionate?
- MATT, year 12, Mount Scopus Memorial College